Entering IB: Analyst vs Post MBA Associate?
Would love to know - what are the differences between entering Investment Banking out of UG as an Analyst versus out of MBA as an Associate in terms of 1) learning experience and skill development, 2) career trajectory and exit opportunities?
It seems that getting an MBA is ~ necessary regardless, so why not start a career elsewhere then pivot into an MBA + Investment Banking later on? It seems most convenient given the frustrations frequently voiced by IB Analysts.
It really sounds better to enter IB as an MBA associate than as an analyst. They enter the job with similar expectations but with more pay, responsibility and upwards trajectory. Even more beneficial if going in with some corporate finance or consulting background before the MBA. However, fewer exit opportunities and more time and money spent obtaining the degree.
I feel like if you have a lower GPA at least you get time to build yourself up elsewhere and show out in an MBA to get into IB.
I mean if you know you want to go into banking straight away just go in straight away -- you will climb the ladder faster
Thank you everyone for your input - definitely helped!
To provide perspective, I am a rising Sophomore who would one day like to start a business and believe I will eventually get an MBA regardless of whether I start in IB or elsewhere. Thus I wonder if it would be preferable for me to start a career elsewhere (say Engineering, etc) before pivoting into IB with an MBA; I have academic/career interests outside of Finance/Business. But would bypassing the IB Analyst experience 1) hinder my ability to recruit for PE and 2) limit my technical business acumen long term?
P.S. I am well aware that I am thinking incredibly far ahead. In a few years I could very well want to be an astronaut - just a college kid trying to keep my options as open as possible.
Do you go to a target?
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